It appears that two out of three candidates for the FIFA Best Men’s Player Award will not be attending the ceremony this year. After Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland has also chosen to skip the event. Consequently, Kylian Mbappe is the only individual present to receive the prestigious accolade in person, if he is to win.

The Norwegian striker is considered a strong contender for this year’s award, having scored an impressive 28 goals and achieving a treble with Manchester City during the eligibility period. However, even if he emerges as the winner, he will not personally collect his recognition.

The reason behind Erling Haaland’s FIFA ceremony snub

According to recent reports from El Chiringuito TV, If Erling Haaland emerges as the winner, his father and former professional soccer player, Alf-Inge Haaland, will graciously accept the trophy on behalf of his son, in the prestigious ‘THE BEST’ awards gala. This update follows closely the heels of Lionel Messi’s decision to prioritize spending time with his team, Inter Miami, over attending the event. While Haaland has not disclosed the reason behind his decision, it is likely due to the ankle injury that has sidelined him for over a month.

Erling Haaland was initially expected to make his highly anticipated return in Saturday’s game against Newcastle United. Nevertheless, Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola unequivocally ruled out his participation in the match, suggesting that the forward has yet to fully recuperate. Let’s now examine the three finalists and assess their chances of winning the award.

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Who is the favorite to win FIFA The Best 2023?

The final three contenders for this year’s FIFA The Best Men’s Player Award are consistent with last year’s list. Lionel Messi presents a strong case with his impressive tally of 24 goals, a Ligue 1 championship title, and a League Cup victory within the eligibility timeframe. Kylian Mbappe, on the other hand, showcased his prowess by scoring 17 goals in just 20 league games while also securing the Ligue 1 trophy.

READ MORE: USMNT’s Jordan Morris Thanks Lionel Messi for Improving MLS’s Visibility- “Huge Difference”

Lastly, Erling Haaland stands out with an outstanding record of 28 goals and an incredible treble consisting of UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, and FA Cup triumphs. Based solely on these remarkable statistics, the Manchester City striker emerges as the frontrunner to claim the highly coveted FIFA The Best award.

Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments.

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